The Official 2015-2016 NHL Thread

[CraigSca]

Capitals seem to be playing well. /jinx

[Fidatelo]

Jets trade Andrew Ladd and some spare parts for Marko Dano, a 2016 1st, and a conditional third.

I didn't want to pay Ladd the money he was asking for, so I supported a trade. It's Wheeler's team anyhow, and a bit of a chemistry change is probably warranted at this point. That said, I'm a bit sad to see him go because he was the first guy to sign here and then make a point of saying this was a great city to play in and whatnot. That meant a lot for the team in the first couple years. I'm happy to see him have a shot at another cup with the Hawks though, they will be easy to cheer for with Toews and Ladd this year.

As for the return, the 2016 1st is basically one of the bottom 4 picks I would imagine. And I know next to nothing about Marko Dano. So... not bad, I guess? Doesn't wow me, but better than nothing I guess, and definitely better than Ladd at 6x6.

[The Jackal]

For a few months of Ladd I think it's a great trade (edit: for the Jets). Not that it's a bad trade for the Hawks, but seems a decent return.

[JPhillips]

The Caps have a +61 differential.

The Panthers and Blackhawks have a combined differential of +54.

It's all going to hurt so bad when they choke in the playoffs.

[CraigSca]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

The Caps have a +61 differential.

The Panthers and Blackhawks have a combined differential of +54.

It's all going to hurt so bad when they choke in the playoffs.

Yep

[Fidatelo]

God I love Big Buff:

Gotta See It: Front-row perspective of Byfuglien's massive hit - Sportsnet.ca

[The Jackal]

I have to say I am enjoying this bonus relevant hockey for the Flyers. After they lost 4-0 to Edmonton on March 3 I was very close to giving up hope, but they have found a way to stay in it with a helluva streak. Few were expecting a wildcard berth this season, but they still have a chance. I'll be pretty disappointed if they can't seal it now but it should be an exciting week.

Also, the Penguins are scary good right now. Just swarming teams with speed to cover up any defensive issues their offensive d-men might have. I'd think the way to get at them would be to get a strong, gritty forecheck going. But if you don't skate with them, they'll put you away quick.

[The Jackal]

I expect the Caps to advance without too much trouble but the Flyers have played them well this year. Flyers momentum died away a little in the last couple of weeks with those losses so I don't expect much of the "team on fire" vs "clinched presidents trophy awhile ago" narrative. It's all gravy at this point for Flyers fans but let's keep this run alive.

[JPhillips]

Nice to see Ovi get to 50 goals again.

[MizzouRah]

Blues and Blackhawks - I'm so ready for playoff hockey!

[Young Drachma]

Habs gave John Scott a (presumable) last NHL game on April 5th and then gave him the option of going back to St. John's or going home and he went back to Michigan.



They even let him start and he played about 9 minutes. Someone joked on some hockey blog that "The Habs just wanted to get into the movie."

[bhlloy]

After being in last place in the division in December, the Ducks win the Pacific, the Jennings and have the #1 PP and PK in the league. What a bizarre season.

And I'm still not that confident they will make it past the first round of the playoffs. Let the fun begin.

[EagleFan]

Is the playoff schedule out anywhere yet?

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

Is the playoff schedule out anywhere yet?

Will be released later tonight.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...-coverage-info

[The Jackal]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

After being in last place in the division in December, the Ducks win the Pacific, the Jennings and have the #1 PP and PK in the league. What a bizarre season.

And I'm still not that confident they will make it past the first round of the playoffs. Let the fun begin.

The West is crazy good. That said, the East isn't easy to predict either.

Stumbling Wings or Stamkosless Bolts? Upstart Panthers or Isles? Recently dominant Pens with potential goalie injury questions or nearing the end of a playoff window Rangers? Some team that won some trophy against a scrappy bunch of orange and black?!

Should we do a new thread for playoff predictions or just keep it here?

[The Jackal]

[The Jackal]

[The Jackal]

Gut reaction:

FLA in 7
DET in 6
PHI in 7
PIT in 6

DAL in 5
CHI in 7
ANA in 6
LA In 7

[Logan]

WAS in 6
PIT in 5
NYI in 6
TB in 7

DAL in 6
CHI in 6
ANA in 6
LA in 5

[Dr. Sak]

I love the optimism but there is no way I think the Flyers win the series. I think they will get beat in 5.

[EagleFan]

How incredibly stupid was that of the Red Wing player to continue to spar with the Lightning player while his team is rushing up ice with less than 20 seconds left. Instead of them establishing themselves in the offensive zone with a chance to do something they end up with a stoppage and neutral zone faceoff.

[bhlloy]

Abdelkader is a fucking idiot who was lucky not to get 4 or 5 penalties in that third period. Absolute dirty piece of shit so it was karma he screwed his team at the end there

[EagleFan]

This is why the NHL playoffs are the best! Loving this Blues/Blackhawks game (especially since I don't have a horse in the race so I can just watch and enjoy).

[Logan]

Bad night for the Rangers, not even considering the fact that yet another teammate almost found a way to end Hank's career. The game went about as I expected though. Girardi is just the fucking worst. His loafing on the first goal should be what finally earns him his well-deserved spot on the bench but it will never happen. Pens did a great job limiting opportunities.

[EagleFan]

That Blackhawks goal never should have happened. That was a poor call on the icing, the Chicago player coasted to get to that one, could have easily gotten it before it got to the line.

[bhlloy]

The five minute delay while the officials try to determine if the play is onside or not on a tiny Nintendo DS screen is the stupidest and most annoying rule in sports right now. Either actually use technology and let Toronto make the call or get rid of it next year, please

[EagleFan]

Not sure what that player was complaining about. You slash and break the stick that is a call any time.

[EagleFan]

Oh, when did the rule change? I thought replays were done in the league office?

[EagleFan]

The past couple minutes may have been HUGE, not just in this game but in the series.

[EagleFan]

How can a coach challenge a play that was already reviewed?

[bhlloy]

Happened to the Ducks this year in Edmonton too. Soooo exciting. NHL has to sort this shit out. Review it in Toronto and put a time limit on it

[bhlloy]

DOLA - I feel a major make up call here coming in the next few minutes

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

That Blackhawks goal never should have happened. That was a poor call on the icing, the Chicago player coasted to get to that one, could have easily gotten it before it got to the line.

Yep.. officiating has been awful both ways in this series.